Destiny - This is a widely used term to denote a sense of arriving at your destination having lived a purposeful life.
Destiny calls for someone to value a purpose driven life and work, walk and live that life.
When you do something you are passionate about, something that you feel is the reason why you exist, you are walking in the direction of destiny.
A number of people spend years following plans and purposes of other people while doing things that frustrate them all because they have bills to pay and yet all that is time being wasted as those things are not in line with purpose for existence.
Determination - A determined person is a daring person who ensures that all that he/she desires to implement does actually come to pass.
This person is very organized and manages projects well.
There is a sense of focus and vision in a determined individual.
This is the kind of person who even if you inform them of how impossible the task is they still want to give it a go hoping that possibility will come.
A determined individual will never leave things half done.
He/she is a completer.
Different - This word goes with distinct or distinction.
When you are different you stand out heads and shoulders above your competition.
People are able to pick your business out even if there are five other similar players in the same business line because of how the services are provided.
We can both sell chicken but while you deep fry yours, I can roast and grill mine and offer a special seasoning.
I can use an open fire.
There are many ways to prepare the chicken which leaves customers talking about how distinct or different my chicken is.
As an individual it is the same issue as well.
We can both have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology but I will stand out based on how I setup my CV, how I present myself.
My uniqueness will see me get jobs ahead of others because I would be seeking to do things not the same way others do them but rather differently all the time.
Diligence - linked to dedication.
Someone who is diligent keeps at it no matter what.
They remain on the task at hand until it is completed.
Diplomacy - This is a quality every leader needs for it helps in resolving conflict leaving all parties in the conflict feeling like they have been heard or considered.
It is one thing to see a fault, how you then present that fault can either leave the other person with defenses all around them or they can embrace what you are saying.
It depends on the level of diplomacy that you use in addressing the issues.
Diplomacy is has therefore a lot to do with tact on how you address issues (situational sensitivity).
Director - this is a person high in the company's hierarchy who helps with giving direction to the rest of the team.
A company with no director has no sense of authority and seriousness.
Usually in the SME environment where titles are blurred, the founder plays the role of the director.
Without direction and vision, the growth of the company is stifled.
A director should be someone who can inspire subordinates to do greater things not always giving tasks but motivating people to take on tasks even without being told.
A film project requires a director the same way an operation in a theatre requires a head surgeon who directs the rest of the team on duty.
Discipline - This is an important element in the attitudes for every professional.
A disciplined employee or team member respects the rules and regulations that are set out in the team or company.
There is need for financial discipline whenever the cheque clears in the bank.
Where there is no discipline, people will create expenditure lines all because there is money that has just been received but no clear purpose has been set for it.
There is need for discipline right across every department of the company to ensure people come to work on time, they respect time in meetings, and they respect each other and are professional enough in the workplace.
Discount - Whenever a sale is done, it is the discretion of the leadership in the team to decide how much must be taken off the final invoice as a way of thanking the customer for such an order.
A discount does not have to be there all the time but it gives a customer a sense of "I have been appreciated; these people actually have an attitude of gratitude".
It does not matter whether it is a 1% or 5% discount, whatever amount it is, it still matters to the customer.
You should however monitor this as a leader in that your teams could suddenly be giving discounts which impact negatively on the bottom line.
There is need for authorization all the way through.
Distinction - See Different above.
When you are distinct you stand out.